I've been really into endurance mountain biking for a while now. As well as riding, I am quite into the history of things. Details of the history of mountain biking is generally quite elusive (compared with road cycling), so decided I would love to put together a little website/timeline/whatever on the history of this beautifully dirty sport.
I would really appreciate any links, dates, stats, anecdotes, details that you think should be included.
One of the originators of what we now think of as mainstream mountain bikes pops in from time to time. He's Charlie Kelly and posts here as Repack Rider. It's only one form of offroad riding, though and before any of us here had been born bikes were being ridden over mountains. CTC have long had folk who would tour offroad, and there is a dedicated group who have been doing this sort of thing at least since the fifties.
Rough Stuff Fellowship.
That's a brilliant link, cheers. I remember seeing a bit in an old issue of Singletrack about "Pass Storming" in the Peaks from many years ago, and looked awesome/very CTC like. Thanks again for the link.
Great link midlife .
Heard some great stories from old boys up here, about some of the 'short cuts' they used to take on their road trips around the highlands. 
As midlifecrashes mentions, it would be worth looking at the RSF for mountain touring. Also if you look at any of the 1890s to 1900s cycle magazines, you'll find the odd gem. Some of the rides those guys (and women) were doing were amazing (mainly singlespeeds).
As far as competition is concerned the early cross country races were taking riders over stuff that was barely walkable. Throw your bike down the hill and tumble after it. 1920s to 30s magazines are a good place to look for pics.
There's a great video of a French? cross country race in the 30s somewhere. Great descents on steep muddy stuff.
Of course, most of that is on what we would call a cyclocross bike these days.
I'm a RSF member - any others up here in the Highlands?
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